Activists Sharjeel Imam and Umar Khalid have filed fresh bail applications before a Delhi court in the larger conspiracy case linked to the 2020 northeast Delhi riots, arguing that there has been no meaningful progress in the trial despite their prolonged incarceration.
The fresh pleas were filed before a court in Karkardooma, which issued notice to the Delhi Police and sought its response. The matter is scheduled to be heard on July 4.
Sharjeel Imam, who has been in custody for nearly six years, argued in his bail plea that there have been no significant developments in the case even after the Supreme Court dismissed his earlier bail application on January 5, 2026.
According to Imam’s plea, arguments on framing charges are still incomplete, and the prolonged delay in trial proceedings has resulted in continued incarceration without substantial progress.
“Despite the passage of more than six months since the Supreme Court judgment, there has been no meaningful progress in the trial proceedings,” the plea reportedly states.
Supreme Court Had Rejected Earlier Bail Pleas
In January 2026, the Supreme Court rejected the bail pleas of Sharjeel Imam and Umar Khalid in the larger conspiracy case related to the 2020 Delhi riots.
At the time, the apex court said there was a prima facie case against both accused under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). The court also observed that all accused persons in the case could not be treated equally due to differences in their alleged roles and “hierarchy of participation.”
However, the Supreme Court granted bail to five other accused in the case, including Gulfisha Fatima, Meeran Haider, Shifa-ur-Rehman, Mohammad Saleem Khan and Shadab Ahmad.
Case Linked to 2020 Northeast Delhi Violence
The case, registered as FIR 59/2020 by the Delhi Police Special Cell, pertains to allegations of a larger conspiracy behind the February 2020 northeast Delhi riots, which took place amid protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) and the proposed National Register of Citizens (NRC).
The violence left 53 people dead and more than 700 injured.
Delhi Police has booked several activists and political figures under provisions of the Indian Penal Code and the UAPA, alleging they were involved in planning and organising the violence.
Among the accused in the case are former AAP councillor Tahir Hussain, Umar Khalid, Sharjeel Imam, Khalid Saifi, Ishrat Jahan, Meeran Haider, Gulfisha Fatima, Shifa-ur-Rehman, Asif Iqbal Tanha, Natasha Narwal, Safoora Zargar and others.
